Portable steam generator



Nov. 5, 1940. J. K. SEBO PORTABLE STEAM GENERATOR 2 Sheets-Sheet l Filed Oct. 25, 1939 amwwiriii all-II I,

llllllllrlIlllAr/IlIlflll/IllllI INVENTOR BY S060 ATTORNEY Nov. 5, 1940. J SEBQ 2,220,353

PORTABLE STEAM GENERATOR Filed Oct. 25, 1939 2 SheetsSheet 2 INVENTOR Julius 6. Saba BY VWMK ATTORNEY Patented Nov. 5, 1940 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 10 Claims,

This invention relates to steam generators, and particularly to portable steam generator units adapted for the purpose of supplying steam for pressing irons, steaming appliances employed in the treatment of fur, and for a variety of other uses.

It has been found that most portable devices of this category are of extremely limited capacities, due to the fact that they must of necessity be of sufficiently reduced proportions to render them conveniently portable, and because of such limitations it has frequently been found preferable to employ the larger and less convenient stationary generators. It is primarily within the contemplation of my invention to improve upon existing devices of this class by providing a portable generator with a sufficiently large steam generating capacity for all practical purposes. And in this aspect of my invention it is another object to generate only such quantities of steam as are normally required by the consuming appliances, an objective which I attain by heating a comparatively small volume of water in a chamber separate and apart from the main water storage chamber but suitably connected thereto by a water feed line of restricted proportions. In this manner I provide against the generation of excessive quantities of steam, such as occurs in certain conventional structures where all the stored water is heated and the resulting steam caused to be partially wasted by being directed into the atmosphere through safety valves or returned to the storage and generating chamber in the form of a condensate. And by means of my invention I accomplish the further purpose of obviating the danger of excessively high steam velocities in the steam-consuming appliance, such as frequently occurs where there is an uncontrolled generation of large quantities of steam.

It is another object of my invention to effectuate a controlled generation of steam, and to further obviate the danger of extremely wet steam or hot particles of water from being ejected from the unit. And in this aspect of my invention it is another object to provide efficient means to separate globules of water from the steam.

It is a further object of my invention to provide means for assuring the electric heating element a long life by enabling it to remain immersed in water even after the main water storage chamber has run dry.

A further object of my invention is to provide convenient means for collecting and removing any sediment which may collect in the main water storage chamber.

And it is still a further object of my invention to utilize certain of the structural elements intended for accomplishing some of the aforesaid purposes, as supports for the wheeled understructure of this apparatus.

Other objects, features and advantages will appear from the drawings and the description hereinafter given.

Referring to the drawings,

Figure 1 is a side elevation of the apparatus of my invention.

Figure 2 is a plan view of the structure of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a section of Figure 1 taken along line 3-3.

Figure 4 is a section of Figure 2 taken along line 44.

Figure 5 is a section, in reduced proportions, of Figure 4 taken along line 55 thereof, and

Figure 6 is a section of Figure 1 taken along line 5-43.

In the drawings there are illustrated three intercommunicating chambers, namely the primary chamber 50 for storing the water to be heated, the intermediate chamber ll wherein the steam is generated, and the outlet chamber [2 serving both as a receptacle for the generated steam prior to being fed to the consuming device and also as a steam separator.

The primary chamber It! is provided with a water inlet I3 controlled by a valve I4 of conventional structure. Extending from the bottom floor $5 of chamber I!) to the lowermost portion ill of chamber H is the feed water pipe I l of restricted proportions to permit a gradual flow 9 of Water from chamber It} to chamber l I. It will be noted that the said lowermost portion i6 is disposed below the level of floor 15 of chamber In thereby rendering it possible for said lowermost portion to contain water even after chamber has run dry. Positioned within said lower most portion I6 is the electric heating element ll disposed substantially along the entire extent thereof. As will be noted from Figure 5, said heating element is secured by screws 3 to the wall IQ of compartment 20. Positioned within said compartment are the binding posts 2| electrically connected in conventional manner to the heating element ll. Attached to said binding posts are the electrical conductors 22 which extend through flexible tubing 23 to the switch member 24 mounted on a wall of chamber l0. Electrically connected to said switch are the wall plug 25 and connection 26 for attachment to a pressing iron or any other steam-consuming appliance. The construction of the switch 24 is of conventional nature and hence will not be set forth in further detail.

Communicating between the upper portions of the primary and intermediate chambers is the breather pipe 27 which is adapted to equalize the pressures within said two chambers. By this means no excessive pressures can be developed within intermediate chamber II to cause a back pressure through line I! into chamber In; and

furthermore, chamber III! will at times be provided with a positive pressure, under the influence of steam passing through pipe 21, for assuring a positive and continuous movement of the feed water through line I].

The top of the intermediate chamber II has extending therefrom the steam pipe 28 communicating with the upper portion of outlet chamber I2, the latter chamber being provided at the top thereof with an outlet fitting 29 adapted for attachment to any suitable hose or pipe connected with a steam-consuming device. The portion of outlet chamber I2 below pipe 28 is adapted toreceive any condensate or globules of Water from said pipe 28, the lighter steam passing up through fitting 29 whereas the heavier water particles are separated by gravity to accumulate in the lower portion of chamber I2. A pet cook 30 is provided at the bottom of chamber I2 to enable any excessive accumulation of condensate to be drawn ofi'.

It will be noted that primary and intermediate chambers I0 and Il are in spaced relation, be-

.ing separated by the space 3! therebetween. The

primary chamber It contains the boss 32 extending into said space; and in engagement with the lateral periphery of said boss are the spacing lugs '33 extending transversely across said space 3|.

The chamber i! is also supported through the medium of bolt 34 extending from the boss 35 in the casing of chamber it into the boss 36 extending transversely from chamber II through space 3 I v The bottom floor I5 of chamber I0, illustrated as sloping rearwardly towards the depressed portion 31 of the chamber, is adapted to receive any sediment which may collect therein. The removable plate 38 will enable any such accumulated sediment to be readily removed.

It will further be observed that advantage is taken in this invention of the relative positions of depressed portion 3? of chamber I 0 and the lowermost portion It of chamber II, to enable such portions to constitute structural supports for the wheeled under-carriage of this device. Thus the wheels 39 are suitably supported and disposed so as to render the entire apparatus readily portable.

As is obvious from the construction hereinabove described, only a small portion of the total water contained in this apparatus is subjected to the direct heating effects of the heating element II, this portion being contained within the intermediate chamber II. quantity of water contained in the intermediate chamber will be more readily transformed into steam than would .be the case if all the water contained in both chambers I0 and II were heated. This not only effects a saving in electric current consumption, but also enables the generation of relatively small volumes of steam sufficient for the requirements of the usual steamconsuming devices intended for operative use with such an apparatus. The velocities of steam flowing through pipes 28 and 29 are also accordingly relatively low, thereby preventing sputtering and excessive pressures. Although a safety valve 40 is provided in the intermediate chamber I I, it has been found through actual practice that there is much less occasion for such valve to open than in an apparatus where steam is being generated from the entire body of water contained therein. And inasmuch as the quantities of water within intermediate chamber II are, as aforesaid, relatively small, it is also obvious that the effect of Hence the relatively small the heating element thereon can be readily controlled in accordance with circumstances.

It is of importance, in accordance with the preferred practice of this invention, that the chambers II] and I I be insulated from each other, such as by the air space 3 I. This enables the water in the primary chamber II] to remain cool and practically unaffected by the heat within chamber I I,

thereby assuring relatively cool water being admitted into chamber II. It has been found that by this arrangement overheating of the water in chamber II is prevented, inasmuch as the only source of heating is the readily controllable heating element H. The resultant steam is hence generally drier than that otherwise produced.

The other appurtenances on this apparatus are of a more or less conventional nature including a handle ll, a supporting brace 42 for chamber I2 extending from intermediate chamber I I, a steam gage 43 and a water indicator 44.

It is of course understood that the various embodiments above-described and shown in the drawings are illustrative of my invention and not employed by way of limitation, inasmuch as numerous changes and modifications may be made within the scope of the appended claims without departing from the spirit of this invention.

What I claim is:

1. A portable steam generating unit of the class described comprising a system of three intercommunicating combination water and steam reservoirs including a primary, an intermediate and an outlet chamber, a water inlet for the primary chamber, a water feed line communicating between the lower portions of said primary and intermediate chambers, a steam feed line communicating between the upper portions of said intermediate and outlet chambers, conduit means between the upper portions of said primary and intermediate chambers, a steam outlet at the upper portion of the outlet chamber, and an electric heating element at the lower portion of the intermediate chamber, the primary and intermediate chambers being in adjacent spaced relation.

2. A portable steam generating unit of the class described comprising a system of three intercommunicating combination water and steam reservoirs including a primary, an intermediate and an outlet chamber, the lowermost portion of said intermediate chamber extending below the bottom of the primary chamber and the upper portion of the intermediate chamber extending above the bottom of the primary chamber, a water inlet for the primary chamber, a Water feed line communieating between the bottom of the primary chamber and the said lowermost portion of the intermediate chamber, a steam feed line communicating between the upper portions of said intermediate and outlet chambers, conduit means between the upper portions of said primary and intermediate chambers, a steam outlet at the upper portion of the outlet chamber, and an electric heating element in said lowermost portion of the intermediate chamber, the primary and intermediate chambers being in adjacent spaced relation.

3. A portable steam generator of the class described according to claim 2, the said outlet chamber extending from a predetermined level below the top of the intermediate chamber to a predetermined point thereabove.

4. In a portable steam generating unit of the class described, a system of three intercommunieating combination water and steam reservoirs including a primary, an intermediate and an outlet chamber, the lowermost portion of said intermediate chamber extending below the bottom of the primary chamber and the upper portion of the intermediate chamber extending above the bottom of the primary chamber, a water inlet for the primary chamber, a water feed line of reduced proportions communicating between the bottom of the primary chamber and the said lowermost portion of the intermediate chamber for permitting a restricted flow through said feed line, said intermediate chamber independently communicating with the upper portions of the primary and outlet chambers, respectively, an electric heating element in said lowermost portion of the intermediate chamber, binding posts electrically connected to said heating element, a compartment adjacent one end of said lowermost portion of the intermediate chamber and housing said binding posts, and switch means on said primary chamber and electrically connected to said binding posts, the primary and intermediate chambers being in adjacent spaced rel-ation.

5. A portable steam generating unit of the class described comprising a system of three intercommunicating combination water and steam reservoirs including a primary, an intermediate and an outlet chamber, a water inlet for the primary chamber, a water feed line communicating between the lower portions of said primary and intermediate chambers, a steam feed line communicating between the upper portions of said intermediate and outlet chambers, conduit means between the upper portions of said primary and intermediate chambers, a steam outlet at the upper portion of the outlet chamber, and an electric heating element at the lower portion of the intermediate chamber, the intermediate chamber being closely spaced from the primary chamber and supported thereby, and the outlet chamber being closely spaced from the intermediate chamber and supported thereby.

6. A portable steam generating unit of the class described comprising a system of three intercommunicating combination water and steam reservoirs including a primary, an intermediate and an outlet chamber, a water inlet for the primary chamber, a water feed line communicating between the lower portion of said primary and intermediate chambers, a steam feed line communicating between the upper portions of said intermediate and outlet chambers, relatively short conduit means between the upper portion of said primary and intermediate chambers, a steam outlet at the upper portion of the outlet chamber, an electric heating element at the lower portion of the intermediate chamber, supporting means extending from the primary chamber and in supporting engagement with the intermediate chamber, and spacing means extending between the primary and intermediate chambers for maintaining them in adjacent spaced relation.

7. In a portable steam generating unit of the class described, a system of three intercommunieating combination water and steam reservoirs including a primary, an intermediate and an outlet chamber, the lowermost portion of said intermediate chamber extending below the bottom of the primary chamber and the upper portion of the intermediate chamber extending above the bottom of the primary chamber, a water inlet for the primary chamber, a water feed line communicating between the bottom of the primary chamber and the said lowermost portion of the intermediate chamber, said intermediate chamber independently communicating with the upper portions of the primary and outlet chambers, respectively, an electric heating element in said lowermost portion of the intermediate chamber, the primary and intermediate chambers being in closely spaced relation, a supporting member extending from the primary to the intermediate chamber through the space therebetween, a boss on the primary chamber extending into the space between the primary and intermediate chambers, and spacing lugs on the intermediate chamber extending through said space into engagement with the lateral wall of the boss for maintaining the primary and intermediate chambers in spaced relation.

8. In a portable steam generator according to claim 7, a pipe extending through the space between the primary and intermediate chambers and constituting the means of communication between said two chambers whereby substantially equal pressures will be maintained therein.

9. A portable steam generating unit of the class described comprising a system of three intercommunicating combination water and steam reservoirs including a primary, an intermediate and an outlet chamber, the lowermost portion of said intermediate chamber extending below the bottom of the primary chamber and the upper portion of the intermediate chamber extending above the bottom of the primary chamber, a water inlet for the primary chamber, a water feed line communicating between the bottom of the primary chamber and the said lowermost portion of the intermediate chamber, a steam feed line communicating between the upper portions of said intermediate and outlet chambers, conduit means between the upper portion of said primary and intermediate chambers, a steam outlet at the upper portion of the outlet chamber, and an electric heating element in said lowermost portion of the intermediate chamber, the primary and intermediate chambers being in closely spaced relation and in supporting engagement with each other, the primary chamber containing a down wardly sloping fioor and a depressed portion communicating therewith for receiving accumulated sediment.

10. A portable steam generating unit of the class described comprising a system of three intercommunicating combination water and steam reservoirs including a primary, an intermediate and an outlet chamber, the lowermost portion of said intermediate chamber extending below the bottom of the primary chamber and the upper portion of the intermediate chamber extending above the bottom of the primary chamber, a water inlet for the primary chamber, a water feed line communicating between the bottom of the primary chamber and the said lowermost portion of the intermediate chamber, a steam feed line communicating between the upper portions of said intermediate and outlet chambers, conduit means between the upper portion of said primary and intermediate chambers, a steam outlet at the upper portion of the outlet chamber, and an electric heating element in said lowermost portion of the intermediate chamber, the primary and intermediate chambers being in closely spaced relation, the primary chamber containing a depressed portion in spaced relation to the said low- 1 ermost portion of the intermediate chamber, and 

